Beyond Conflict supports Palestinian project in West Bank

Feburary 2024

Beyond Conflict is proud to announce support for a new project in the Palestinian West Bank, helping civilians affected by the on-going crisis in the region. BC is supporting work to address the mental health impact upon civilians via our partner Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).

Our support for this urgent work is in direct response to the escalating crisis. It is possible thanks to a major donation to Beyond Conflict by the London Stock Exchange Group Foundation, which we are grateful for.

Events since October 2023 have led to death, destruction and trauma. As always, it is children and young people who suffer the most. Thanks to our donor LSEG, Beyond Conflict will be supporting MAP in providing urgent and necessary MHPSS and training for civilians and frontline workers.

Simultaneously, we add our voice to the global calls for a permanent ceasefire and for peace talks to begin.

“We’re here to help those in urgent need of mental health care in places of conflict. We also know that war trauma impacts across generations and can cause violence to spiral. Addressing mental health issues is therefore important for long-term peace building,” said BC Chairman Edmund Newell.

“The mental health impact of heart-breaking events in Gaza and Israel will echo for generations. In this time of suffering and uncertainty in the world, the need for mental health support  for civilians in war zones has never been more urgent. For this reason, we are proud to support the work of MAP,” said Edna Fernandes, Executive Director and Co-Founder of BC.

“Regardless of your personal views on conflicts around the world, the undeniable truth is wherever there is conflict, innocent people’s lives are turned upside down. BC believes mental health support is essential for those affected to make sense of their pain and rebuild their lives,” said Luke Tomkins, BC Financial Trustee.

MAP’s West Bank Mental Health Project

The humanitarian need in Gaza is overwhelming. Yet, working in Gaza right now is unfeasible until a permanent ceasefire is in place and clearance of the devastation has taken place. So we will begin by supporting the Palestinian community in the West Bank, through MAP.  MAP runs a successful project with the Palestinian Ministry of Health in the West Bank, in partnership with the Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK. It is a leading and respected NGO in the region.

The project has been building capacity in psychiatric care for the last few years, through initiatives including frontline training for doctors and other medical staff; online training with the RCPysch; and support for the only psychiatric hospital in the West Bank which receives training, equipment and medical supplies.

Melanie Coyne, Senior Programme Manager, MAP said:

“Thank you so much for this generous donation and for partnering with MAP. We are really excited to be extending our support to communities in the West Bank at such a crucial time.”

Beyond Conflict thanks MAP and we are proud to offer our support.

If you wish to help us with our work, please make a donation to Beyond Conflict on our Donate page. Thank you.

The Beyond Conflict Team